The point of the I-130 is to establish the qualifying relationship and alert the govt that there will be an immigrant filing of some sort when the priority date is current.

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Asker

1. No, you do not have to be phyically present in the US at the time of filing.
2. The sponsoring Permanent Resident will sign the petition.
3. Financial requirements come into play once the priority date becomes current and a permanent residence application is filed.

Asker

1. You don't need to be physically present in the U.S., but must give a U.S. address for yourself and sign the petition.

2. I always prefer the mother to file such a petition.

3. All this will come years later, once the priority date becomes current. I wouldn't worry about it now. File ASAP to establish an earlier priority date!

Behar Intl. Counsel 619.234.5962 Kindly be advised that the answer above is only general in nature cannot be construed as legal advice, given that not enough facts are known. It is your responsibility to retain a lawyer to analyze the facts specific to your particular situation in order to give you specific advice. Specific answers will require cognizance of all pertinent facts about your case. Any answers offered on Avvo are of a general nature only, and are not meant to create an attorney-client relationship.